Thursday, February 18, 2010

Weekend What's What 2/18-2/23

CREATE/PERFORM/REPEAT

Is it something about the severe seasonal fluctuations that keep Minnesota artists on their toes? Or are we really just incredibly lucky to have such a vigilant crop of creative geniuses in our midst? Perhaps it's both. We are continually impressed by the artistic output around these here parts and this weekend definitely pulls at our art-lovin' heart strings! From the massive Foot in the Door exhibit at the MIA to an agriculturally-inspired art installation at the Soap Factory and much more, we're simple dazzled by the ongoing imaginative vision of our local brethren and how they keep on truckin' through the the rough and the smooth. Kudos, Twin Cities!

Once every ten years, Minnesota artists converge on the Minneapolis Institute of Arts to contribute one small piece of visual art to a massive display of local vision and talent. The event is Foot In The Door, an exhibition open to any contributor with an offering of visual art that can fit into a 12 inch square space, or a video installment 80 seconds or less in length. Since 1980, Foot in the Door has celebrated the diversity and enthusiasm of Minnesota's visual arts community. Organized by the Minnesota Artists Exhibition Program and held at the MIA, the fourth installment of this infrequent and wildly-popular exhibition promises to present the largest collection of art in the state of Minnesota.Artists range in age, experience, subject matter, medium – just about anything you can think of. This year, peep the new video gallery featuring 80-second long video works, plus groove to live music from Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles and a DJ set from Transmission's Jake Rudh. Don't forget to bring socks to donate to the Saint Stephen's charity sock drive and wear your most eccentric manolos to be included in the Flickr “Best Shoes in the Door” photo gallery!

28 of our cities' successful and wildly talented illustrators will be showcased this evening at the College of Visual Arts. The biennial Illo Minn exhibition features original works by such artists as DC Ice, Adam Turman, Mike Carina, and Allen Brewer who will each display a traditional art piece alongside a custom-designed Munny to be auctioned off to benefit the CVA. In case you haven't heard, Munnys are the blank, customizable vinyl figures associated with the extremely popular Dunnys that designer toy collectors vie for. Each illustrator has created an original one-of-kind Munny and from what we've seen, they look pretty darn awesome. Head to the CVA Gallery tonight for the reception or stop in before the end of the show run on March 6th. Sponsored by our BFFs at ROBOTlove!

Like the Dr. Dre himself would say, "You never been on a ride like this befo' with a producer who can rap and control the maestro." For the 8th year in a row, Burlesque of North America celebrates the iconic rapper's day of birth. The Twin Cities Chronic Mothership Band deliver Dre classics, while Jimmy 2 Times & King Otto fill in the gaps by spinning "Chronically" good albums. Apparently there is a halftime show, which includes a down n' dirty dance performance by The Velvet Whips. Of course, Burlesque will have new Dre Day merch for sale and Espada returns once again for the $20 Sack Pyramid game. Holla!

Relax this Thursday to the ambient grooves of Atlas Sound (the totally harmonious solo proj of Deerhunter frontman, Bradford Cox) as they jam out in the basement of Coffman Union. The band will be accompanied by the pleasant tuneage of post-rock trio, Paragraphs, as well as the soothing sounds of JG Everest. The night is bound to be both meditational and melody-filled...the perfect way to kick off the weekend!

Get out of that cold, dull winter slump with the help of Nate Duval’s bright and vibrant art! He first caught our eye with his February desktop wallpaper especially made for design*sponge (download here). Now, we're hooked on his colorful, hand-drawn and hand-printed pieces that range from springy flowers to vivid deer to pastel pink buildings. Plus, the fanciful feel will definitely brighten up those dreary February days. And if you’re looking for something more than a cute desktop, his stuff is available in prints, posters and even on clothing.

Curated by the ever-thoughtful Matteo Kelli-Halbesleben, tonight's local dance extravaganza features original performances from homegrown artists and choreographers Jeremy Bensussan, Renee Copeland, Joe Chvala, John-Mark Hostetler and the always aberrant l'étoile fave, Jaime Carrera. Their unique footwork ranges from tap dance, experimental and percussive to interpretative and modern ballet works. And if the promos and the clever "Queereographers" moniker is any premonition, the show should be jam packed with provocative movements and pervasive gayness. Oh Patrick's Cabaret, you know what we like.

If your Valentine’s Day was rough, let Pegasus cosole you. Lady Enchantress will MC away your woes, lovlies Maria, Kiera and Jared will DJ your heart back into one piece. Samuel DeLayMe presents some "science friction" (we hope that means it’s dirty) and there’s even a date raffle! Plus the ever-more-outrageous performances you've come to expect from the Pegasus gang, not to mention the best costumes you’ve seen all month. Dress for success!

Blow out ‘chya hair, order some jag bombs and get ready to fist pump! That’s right, local faves the Moon Goons are hosting the latest installment of their popular "Forever Young" dance party this Friday at the Old Soho Storefront. This time around, the boys have gone "Jersey Shore" on us, with more hair gel and Jersey accents than you ever thought possible! Hit the dance floor to a Three 6 Mafia mix or get bronzed up at the on-site “tanning booth” set-up. Personally, we're not sure how we feel about incorporating a "Bump-it" into our 'dos, but to each their own. In an example of irony gone to far, the below flier also makes us cringe, but it's worth the assault on your eyes simply for the hilariously photoshopped pics of the Moongoons boys!

Anti-Civ Records is having a weekend-long extravaganza! Tonight the rockin', rollin' lads (and lady) of Bouncer Fighter present to you their first full-length album, Guzzlemug. Children of Euler and Hawks & Oxen open. Drink a PBR and buy the album, then come back tomorrow night for more Anti-Civ excitement (see Saturday's listings below for more info).

If you missed the last super-fun edition of the Midnight Movie Society, tonight's your chance to make things right. Join our pals Vita.mn and DJ Jake Rudh for a themed soiree centering around the cult classic film, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls. Guests are encouraged to dress the part (ie-fabulous '60s sex kitten!) and prizes will be awarded to the best dressed and most participatory. Starting at 10:30pm, you'll be invited to sip cocktails, dance to tunes a la Jake Rudh and snack on the Stag's famous truffle oil-drizzled kettle corn. At midnight, join in on a complimentary midnight toast and get comfy for a screening of this delightfully campy, boob-fueled flick.

Banana Who will tell you everything you need to know about those new-fangled moving pictures. From inside the film industry, this fun website's writers give smart and entertaining reviews of movies that are still in the theaters. Banana Who offers a more in-depth, off-beat alternative to newspaper reviews. Also, check out their "Best Movies of the Decade" list, complete with detailed graphs. This is a well-designed, informative and fun guide to which movies are worth your time and 10 bucks.

As a child, Michon Weeks always loved to build things out of Lego blocks or create mittens with her set of knitting needles. Now, she translates those same ideas into artwork! Weeks is showing off her collection of grid-like, inspired work this Saturday at the 801 Lofts. Stop by from 6-9pm to peep eight of her zigzagging, isometric, 3-D paintings and drawings. The exhibit will not only showcase her pieces but will also feature the likes of local artists such as Mary Bergs, Joe Michaud Scorza, Karl Unnasch, Kat Corrigan, Lynn Tanaka, and Marie Olafsdotter.

If you haven't already heard, Angry Catfish Bicycle is MPLS' greenest addition to the local coffee house circuit – in more ways than one. It proudly serves delicious Intelligentsia coffee and tea and parked outside you'll see some of the coolest fixed gears in town. Tonight, ACB hosts the 1st annual Cutters Ball – an indie fest of full of awesome giveaways and underground bike culture. Featuring prizes from Kinetic Trainers, Speedhound, Handsome Bicycle Co., Banjo Brothers and more! Plus, free beer, tasty carnivore and veggie eats and live music by Four on the Floor. There will also be free shuttle rides running to and fro from the Bloomington Marriot and other local hotels for all the out-of-town FrostBike attendees.

Maybe it's our obsession with boys with long hair, but secretly we've always wanted to live on a commune – just like Winona Ryder or the peeps in Big Love, minus the polygamy. The harmony, the togetherness, the folk jams, it's like one big happy hippie family! Well now, thanks to the artists of the New Land of Milk and Honey we can explore Midwestern commune life without even leaving MPLS grounds. Artists Annie Larson, Brett Smith and Erin Smith invite you to sneak a peep at their blooming western Wisconsin community where artistic endeavors flourish and creativity is celebrated. Tonight, explore their realms as the artists unveil a presentation of their current commune project featuring knitting works, electronic sleep, ley/tectonic farm acceleration, solar wave exchange, prenatal learning and more! Opening performance includes a collaboration with video artist/ritual specialist, Adrian Freeman and choreographer AnnMarie Freeman. Who knows, after this show you might wanna quit your job and go commune hunting!

Oh my. A show like this hasn’t happened in a while. Amazing locals Dark Dark Dark and Knife World open for the wild, wild Chickdee Mountain Martyrs on this special night at das Hex! The Martyrs have captured a healthy dose of quirky, violin-encrusted Americana on their latest release, Comeuppance on Anti-Civ Records; a disc you really ought to make a point to snap up tonight between swillin' beer and rockin' out!

Get a sneak preview of what's to come on Dearling Physique's much-anticipated and soon-to-be-released new album tonight at Clubhouse Jager! Dom Davis and cohorts will be teasing your ears with their spooky yet danceworthy brand of electro experimentation and futurism. Not to mention, Dom and co. win serious l'etoile style points for their theatrical stage presence and deliciously brazen fashion statements. We love! Tonight, if only for one night, Clubhouse Jager IS the future.

This weekend, E.G. Bailey is going to drop a bomb — a “proverbial bomb” that is! On Saturday, the Bedlam Theatre hosts the release show for Bailey’s debut album, titled AMERICAN AFRIKAN, showcasing his creative mix of powerful spoken word, preformance art and hip-hop/funk/jazz/electronic music. Additionally, the night will feature the work of many more artists and musicians like Guante, Mankwe Ndosi, Truthmaze, Chantz Erolin, Aimee Bryant, Ibé Kaba, Sankaradjeki, Dameun Strange, Kahlil Brewington, DJ Stage One and more.

William and Yasmine of Tearist are cool in ways they don't even understand yet. Thankfully, we don't have to understand them to enjoy their awesomeness. Known to play in warehouse basements and on the roofs of convenience stores, the pair define “exquisite Dark Wave.” Like Siouxsie gone minimal, LA's Tearist is a goth disco freak-out duo with in-your-face synth riffs and avant garde vocal bruising. Not to mention we have a total girl crush on lead singer Yasmine Kittles! Yasmine has been called the lovechild of Amy Winehouse and PJ Harvey and when it comes to taste, the lady knows her sh*t, quoting Situationist Guy Debord and French playwright Antonin Artaud as influences. Back in '09, Yasmine caught our attention when she teamed up with comedy sketch artist Eric Wareheim to create a zany music video featuring odd dancing and fully-clothed pseudosexual escapades – including an '80s montage of aerial muff-diving acrobatics – all set to Bat for Lashes “Daniel.” Hilar!

Join hosts Kate Iverson (l'étoile magazine, Secrets of the City) and Beth Hammarlund (l'étoile magazine, A Tiny Machine) every Tuesday Night for JagerCon! JagerCon is a weekly sci-fi party featuring screenings of classic nerdy movies and television shows -- topped off with 2-4-1 cocktails all night served by Star Captain Paul!

Mingle with like-minded sci-fi geeks, discuss D&D strategies, and use that Captain Picard impression you've been perfecting to pick up chicks at the bar. Snort-laugh the night away while bragging about your MMORPG addiction and enjoy a cozy, nerd-friendly environment.

Upcoming Events:

FEB 23: NightwatchMAR 2: The Hunger

This week's flick is Night Watch (the Russian version with typographically amazing english subtitles)

GUEST BLOGGER: A TINY MACHINE

Beth Hammarlund tips us off to a striking similarity between a local and an international designer.

Twinsies!

Great minds think alike! On the left is a new look from Richard Chai, on the right one of Emma Berg's looks from last fall. Keep an eye out for Miss Emma. She's going places.

Just received these gorgeous shots from local photographer Stephanie Colgan, who is in New York shooting Fashion Week for The New York Times. She shot Norma Kamali and 3.1 Phillip Lim for the Times, as well as Simon Spurr, Rad Hourani and Badgley Mischka independently. Stephanie is the staff photographer for Voltage 2010 and I'm looking forward to styling the Voltage lookbook shoot with her this weekend.

Tickets on Sale now for the Official Oscar Night Party co-sponsored by l'etoile!

This stylish evening of glitz and glam at the Hotel Ivy marks the first year that the Aegis Foundation is at the helm of the official Academy-sanctioned Oscar Night Bash in Minneapolis. This fabulous event is the ideal night out for film aficionados, fashion fanatics, and people who want to have an exciting Hollywood-themed evening -- all while helping support two great local organizations, www.SmileNetwork.org & www.Reclaim-lgbtyouth.org . This ticketed benefit event is all ages and open to the public. Click HERE for tickets. Co-Sponsored by l'etoile!

WIN TICKETS!

Want to come to the Official Oscars party at the Hotel Ivy? Show us your celebrity look alike and you might win two tix AND a limo ride to the party AND a makeover! Click HERE to enter the contest.

Vote for XYandZ Gallery's public art project in the Pepsi Great Idea Contest!

Locally-based artist co-op the XYandZ Gallery has thrown their hat into the ring for the Pepsi Great Idea Contest! Each month, the soft drink giant plans to give away $1,300,000 in grants to artists and dreamers. In other words, peeps with great ideas! XYandZ has proposed a big public art project to transform vacant buildings in the Twin Cities into art installations. They are going for a $50,000 grant for the project. VOTE HERE to move them up in the rankings! They are hovering around #40 right now, but with your help we can push them up and beautify the Twin Cities at the same time! Voting runs through Feb 28th.

E-MAIL US

To request an event listing on letoilemagazine.com, or to inquire about advertising, e-mail kate@letoilemagazine.com
To send a promo or press release for consideration through U.S. mail:
l'etoile magazine
628 4th Street NE
2nd Floor
Minneapolis Mn 55413